2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Kevin Hertel and John Goldwater. Candidate information follows official Macomb County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Kevin Hertel was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and John Goldwater won the five-way Republican primary with about 47 percent over Shelley Wright, Joseph A. Backus, Eileen Tesch and Patrick Shawn Biange, per official results certified by the Michigan Secretary of State; the nominees meet on the November 3 ballot.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. The sitting officeholder, Kevin Hertel, is on the ballot.
Michigan › Macomb County › Michigan Senate District 12
Democratic Incumbent
Per the campaign site.
Kevin Hertel represents Senate District 12 and previously served in the Michigan House representing the 18th district from 2017 to 2022, per the Michigan Senate Democrats caucus site.
Republican
Per the campaign site.
An oil and gas entrepreneur, per Michigan Legislative Consultants' district overview. A New Baltimore father of six with children in Anchor Bay schools, he leads his platform with affordability, cleanup funding for Lake St. Clair, and eliminating taxes for seniors, per his campaign site.
Who is running for Michigan Senate District 12 in 2026?
2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 12 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Kevin Hertel and John Goldwater. Candidate information follows official Macomb County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Michigan Senate District 12 election in Michigan?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Macomb County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Macomb County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Michigan election office, or see the full Macomb County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
24 tracked races in Macomb County, Michigan. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.